Kedhikulhudhoo Council instructed to revoke statement accusing Pres. of campaigning

Local Government Authority (LGA), on Sunday, has instructed N. Kendhikulhudhoo Council to revoke the statement they had issued describing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing tour of the atolls as misusing state resources for campaign.

President Muizzu is presently on a tour of all Maldivian atolls for the purpose of meeting all local councils and Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). He also holds meetings with the residents of the islands he is visiting, during which the President and senior officials of the government speak at the podium.

He has repeatedly appealed to the public to vote for the candidates representing the ruling coalition in the upcoming parliamentary election during his addresses.

Other officials of the government who have spoken at the podium has also urged to vote for the candidates of the ruling coalition. In some instances, they have also specifically mentioned the names of some candidates.

Kendhikulhudhoo Council released a statement condemning the act, in which they stated that President had appealed for support to the government’s candidate in an official event organized by the council, without their permission.

Speaking with Sun, Kendhikulhudhoo councilor Mohamed Shahid said Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, during the meeting held at Kendhikulhudhoo, directly mentioned the name of the candidate while campaigning. 

Shahid said LGA, on Sunday, told the council that they had no authority over the matter with respect to the statement they had issues. He detailed that the LGA had described the council’s statement as an obstruction to the works of the Presideent.

“We do not know how LGA has interpreted it as an obstruction. LGA did not question the council,” he added.

Shahid said the council organized the meeting with Kendhikulhudhoo residents on the day the President had visited the island and arranged for the residents to attend the meeting without taking political ideology into consideration.

“The arrival at this island had gone perfectly. Residents were there. When they were called for the meeting, all residents came whether they were MDP, PPM or PNC. Then the Fisheries Minister directly said the name of PPM-PNC candidate and berated MDP, all the while we were at the front seat,” he recalled.

However, Shahid said none of the councilors had left the premises as a token of respect to the government’s heads.

He also underscored that the statement was released two days following the President’s departure. Shahid said the council will seek legal advice regarding the statement, adding the council will act in line with recommendations.

“We have a law firm. We will act in accordance with their recommendations. If the law firm states we cannot legally do this, we will revoke the statement. If they say we can, we will not revoke,” he said.